Round Up: Go-Ahead Ireland AFL 1 & AFL 2

Cuala cropped up with goals at critical times as they edged St Mary’s Saggart by 4-13 to 2-16 in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Adult Football League Division 1 encounter in Saggart onSaturday afternoon.

In doing so, they picked up their first win in four matches with David O’Dowd leading the way in a defensive capacity while also showing his threat in attack as he chipped in with 1-1. 

Cuala’s threat from deep was reflected in goals from both their corner-backs, Michael Conroy and Luke Treacy, with the latter plundering his third goal in as many games. 

The away midfield pairing of Cillian Dunne (0-2) and Dan O’Sullivan combined well throughout and with Cal Doran also netting, Cuala confirmed their win thanks to seven Conor O’Brien points. 

At Marlay Park, Ballinteer St John’s picked up their second win in four days as they proved too strong for Kilmacud Crokes, winning by 0-22 to 0-10. 

The hosts led by 0-11 to 0-5 at half-time, thanks largely to the scoring returns of Jack Lundy, Liam Fenton and Jack Long with the visitors missing a penalty ten minutes before the break.

With John Clair and Liam Smith to the fore, St John’s continued to dominate after the turnaround as Luke Cullen (0-4) and Glenn Whelan (0-2) made valuable contributions while scoring talisman Lundy took his personal tally to 0-12 by the final whistle. 

Elsewhere, Ballyboden St Enda’s assumed top spot in the table as they comfortably overcame Castleknock by 4-15 to 1-6 with St Patrick’s Donabate falling back into second spot following their narrow 2-6 to 0-11 reverse at home to Ballymun Kickhams. 

They are joined there by both Na Fianna and Clontarf, who recorded routine victories against Lucan Sarsfields and St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh respectively.   

Go-Ahead Ireland AFL1: St Sylvester’s 0-12 St Jude’s 0-22; St Patrick’s Donabate 0-11 Ballymun Kickhams 2-6; Thomas Davis 3-20 Fingal Ravens 1-8; Ballinteer St John’s 0-22 Kilmacud Crokes 0-10; St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 0-15 Clontarf 4-16; Ballyboden St Enda’s 4-15 Castleknock 1-6; St Mary’s Saggart 2-16 Cuala 4-13; Na Fianna 2-17 Lucan Sarsfields 0-6.

In Go-Ahead Ireland AFL2, the ability of unbeaten leaders St Vincent’s to get over the line was once again in evidence as they edged Round Towers Lusk by 2-16 to 2-15, maintaining their perfect campaign to date.  

Hot on their heels remain a Skerries Harps side that enjoyed their eighth win of the year when defeating Kilmacud Crokes by 4-15 to 0-10 in Skerries. 

The foundation for their victory lay at the back through strong individual displays by Daire Gielty, Jack Smith and Cillian Emmett. 

At the opposite end of the field, Luke Harrison (1-3), Joe Delaney and Paddy Kelly were prominent in attack throughout while their dominant midfield pairing of Paul Wilde and Adam Fearon caught the eye as they combined for 2-8 from play. 

There was another home win on the Clontarf Road as second-half goals by Robert Kennedy and Conor Maher saw Scoil Ui Chonaill past Na Fianna by 2-12 to 0-14. 

Niall Doherty, Conor Breathnach and Neil O’Flynn all chipped in with two points apiece for the hosts, who impressed after the break through the defensive solidity of Andy Bunyan, Martin Tierney, Páidí Conlon and Brian Fleming.  

Go-Ahead Ireland AFL2: Scoil Uí Chonaill 2-12 Na Fianna 0-14; Whitehall Colmcille 2-14 Templeogue Synge Street 2-17; Naomh Barróg 2-20 Naomh Fionnbarra 0-8; Naomh Olaf 0-12 Raheny 0-14; St Brigid’s 1-12 Naomh Mearnóg 0-9; Skerries Harps 4-15 Kilmacud Crokes 0-10; Pobal Parnell 1-12 Fingallians 2-20; Round Towers Lusk 2-15 St Vincent’s 2-16.